Thousands expected at funeral of slain Poughkeepsie officer

CARMEL (AP) -- The church holds about 600 people. But police say thousands are expected at the funeral of an upstate New York policeman who was killed as he helped rescue a 3-year-old girl.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan has agreed to officiate at Thursday's Mass in Carmel for Poughkeepsie Officer John Falcone.

Police say Falcone was shot and killed on Friday by 27-year-old Lee Welch of Catskill. They say Welch shot and killed his wife and was clutching their daughter and escaping when officers approached. Welch then killed the 44-year-old Falcone and himself.

The pews at St. James the Apostle Church are being reserved for family, friends and Falcone's Poughkeepsie colleagues. So thousands of officers from other departments throughout the region will be mustering in the streets around the church.